School closures
DBE ‘not considering’ school closures in 2021 despite COVID second wave
More than 200 teachers have died after contracting coronavirus since the outbreak on home soil in March.
The country's Constitution, as well as several court rulings, offer clear guidelines for how children's best interests should be managed and prioritised.
The rare joint statement from the top health advisers to the governments of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland represents a boost for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson who has said getting children back to school is a national priority.
Sadtu said officials had also failed to detail preparations that the department had made since President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the closure of schools last week.
Earlier this week President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that all public schools would go on recess for the next four weeks to prevent schools from becoming COVID-19 hot spots as infections peak.
The decision comes days after the LA Unified School District cancelled classes after receiving a threat.
A threat deemed likely to be a hoax prompted the closure of hundreds of public schools yesterday.
The LA Unified School District has more than 640,000 students in kindergarten through to 12th grade.
The schools, which planned to appeal a ruling upholding a shut down order, have abandoned legal action.
Debbie Schafer says her dept wants to put the school closures chapter behind them this year.
A lawyer for the schools says he’s received complaints some officials have intimidated institutions.
The matter was heard this week and set down for judgment in early December.
The matter is expected to be heard in the Supreme Court of Appeal within the next month.
Cape schools facing closure say they’re ready to battle the MEC’s decision once again.
The ANC says the money which is used in a court battle could be used to make WC schools safer.
MEC Donald Grant has confirmed the dept will appeal the decision to keep 17 schools open.
Equal Education says the decision to keep 17 school facing closure open should be seen as a warning.
It is not yet clear whether the Western Cape Education Department will oppose the court decision.
The provincial education department has described the ruling as a sad day for education.